Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed deep sadness over the reported passing of the former Imo State Director General of the Mass Mobilisation for Self Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), Dr. Chuks Osuji.
Dr. Osuji, 86, reportedly passed on at his Ikenegbu, Owerri residence, after a brief illness.
A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Uzodimma said his principal regrets that Imo State has lost a rare hardworking statesman full of wisdom and passion for the development of the State.
The Governor described Dr. Osuji as a doyen of Public Relations nationally and globally, a public opinion analyst par excellence, a true follower of Christ and the doctrine of Christianity, a respecter of the traditional institution and a firm believer in the doctrine of fairness, justice and equity.
He said it was not an accident that the deceased was sought for by the Government of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida and entrusted with the responsibility of driving the MAMSER programme in Imo State where he made a lot of positive impact.
Governor Uzodimma said though Dr. Osuji became challenged over the years after leaving MAMSER, he never allowed his situation to blur his sense of vision and mission to serve God and humanity as he was able to churn out 12 books as a blind man out of 22 books to his credit while alive.
The Governor said that as an avid writer and commentator on current affairs, Dr. Osuji left no one in doubt that there is huge ability in disability, noting that he will be sorely missed by all and sundry in Imo State in particular and Nigeria at large for his works.
He therefore commiserated with the immediate and extended family members, the Ihitteaforukwu community in Ekwereazu, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State where Dr. Osuji hailed from and all those the deceased has left behind to mourn his passing, and urged them to join him and the entire people of the State to pray for the peaceful repose of Dr. Osuji’s soul.